Exercise machine that simulates surfing with an integrated paddling apparatus and instability board

ABSTRACT

A stationary exercise machine that offers the physical workout attained through surfing by simulating the act of surfing.

BACKGROUND

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. 61551327, filed Oct. 25, 2011. The present invention relates tostationary exercise devices that, in simulating sports such as surfing,offer the strengthening, toning, balance and coordination attainedthrough such sports.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The embodiment is a stationary exercise machine that offers a workout bysimulating surfing. By incorporating both a balancing board and apaddling apparatus, the embodiment is meant to deliver the variedphysical-fitness benefits of actual surfing. The embodiment's paddlingmechanism provides a means for arm-paddling simulation: by repeatedlypulling the handles, the user exercises his or her arms in a paddlingmotion the way a surfer might. The handle mechanism uses one of variousresistance means to allow the user to pull with force. The placement ofthe handles and flexibility of the elastic belts to which they areattached allow the user to pull from varying angles and in varyingmotions, including a motion similar to that of paddling through water.

The embodiment's surfboard-type balancing board rests on fluid-filledbags (fluid can be air or liquid; both are “fluids”). This combinationsimulates imbalance like that of a surfboard moving through water. Usersof the embodiment may lay prone on the board and grasp and pull thehandles attached to the elastic bands to simulate paddling on asurfboard through water. Or they may do full swim strokes, pullingagainst the resisting elastic bands that are attached to the handles.Users may alternatively stand on the balancing board and do exercises,such as squats or lunges, while maintaining balance on the board. Orthey may perform pushups with hands on the front paddling apparatus.

Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features,elements, and advantages thereof, will be shown in the followingdescription and accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A fuller understanding of the components, processes, and apparatusesdisclosed herein may be obtained by referring to the accompanyingfigures. These figures are intended to illustrate the teachings hereinand are not intended to show relative sizes and dimensions, or to limitthe scope of examples or embodiments. In the drawings, the same numbersare used throughout the drawings to reference like features andcomponents of like function.

FIG. 1 is a right front perspective view of an example embodiment

FIG. 2 is an orthographic side view of the example embodiment

FIG. 3 is a left-front perspective view of the example embodiment

FIG. 4 is an orthographic view of a hypothetical surfboard

FIG. 5 is another orthographic view of a hypothetical surfboard

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the board part of the exercise machine

FIG. 7 is an orthographic view of the actual board and the effects ofits motion

FIG. 8 is another orthographic view of the actual board and the effectsof its motion

FIG. 9 is an orthographic view of the board showing an alternate meansof attachment to the base

FIG. 10 is an orthographic view of one iteration of the base and itsresistance components

FIG. 11 is an orthographic view of another iteration of the base andresistance components

FIG. 12 is an orthographic view of yet another iteration of the base andresistance components

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show an exercise machine 100 that simulates surfingwith a surfboard-like instability board 110 that rests on fluid-filledbladders 122 (FIG. 3). The fluid-filled bladders destabilize and buoythe board 110 (FIG. 1) in a way that simulates surfing. A paddlingcomponent 114 employs elastic cables 118, the handles 120 of which canbe gripped to counter the destabilizing affect of the board. The elasticcables 118 extend around guide-pulleys 116 and 117 and under the base112, where they are circularly engaged with a resistance means 130 (FIG.2). The resistance means may employ a variable added-resistance aspectsuch as a spring, a thicker elastic belt, or other means.

Stabilizing stretch cables 113 (FIG. 1) hold the instability boardflexibly in place on the base 112. The paddling component 114 is fixedlyengaged with the base 112. Integrated with the paddling component 114 isa paddling-arm support 115, on which guide pulleys 116, 117 arepivotally mounted.

FIG. 2 shows the placement of the fluid-filled bladders 122 on the base112 and under the board 110 of the exercise machine 100. Stabilizingstretch cables 113 are fixedly engaged with the board 110 and the base112 and act to limit the extent to which the board rotates about itslong axis. On the base 112 is a means of engagement 119 that attachesthe resistance means 130 with the base 112.

In FIG. 3, an exploded view shows all the parts that make up theimbalance and buoyancy aspects of the machine 100. The fluid-filledbladders 122 sit in supports 124 with mated recessed areas 126 molded toaccept the bladders 122. The supports are mounted onto the base 112. Inuse, the board rotates along its short axis 103 and its long axis 105.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the typical buoyancy and center-of-gravitymovement of an example hypothetical surfboard 50. This movement issimulated by the movement of the board 110 (FIG. 6) in the embodiment.

The user's hypothetical center of gravity 62 (FIGS. 4 and 5) on thehypothetical surfboard 60 shifts as the user navigates the surfboardthrough water 65. This constant navigation causes the long axis 33 totilt, resulting in the surfboard's 60 rotation about its long axis 33.This rotation is simulated in the embodiment 100 (FIG. 1).

A hypothetical center of buoyancy 66 (FIGS. 4, 5) moves and causesimbalance in the hypothetical board 60. A small shift in the user'scenter of gravity 62 results in a larger shift in the center of buoyancy66, causing an offset between the two, which leads to imbalance. Thisimbalance is simulated in the embodiment 100 (FIG. 1). A hypothetical,displacing volume of water 64 (FIGS. 4, 5) is recreated by the bladdersin the embodiment 100 (FIG. 1).

FIG. 6 shows the short axis 103 and a long axis 105 of the board 110. Asthe user shifts, the board rotates about these axes.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the actual buoyancy and center-of-gravityeffect achieved by use of the exercise machine 100. FIGS. 7 and 8illustrate the effects that were shown hypothetically in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The user's actual center of gravity 151 on the board 60 shifts as theuser navigates the board atop the bladders 122. As the user performsexercises on the board, an actual center of buoyancy 154 moves andcauses imbalance in the board 110. A small shift in the user's center ofgravity 151 results in a larger shift in the center of buoyancy 154,causing an offset between the two. These movements of navigation causerotation about the long axis 105, which leads to the desired imbalancethat enhances exercise.

The bladders 122 recreate the hypothetical displacing volume of water 64(FIGS. 4, 5). Stabilizing stretch cables 113 (FIGS. 7 and 8) are fixedlyengaged with the board 110 and the base 112 and act to limit the extentto which the board rotates about its short axis.

FIG. 9 illustrates another iteration of the embodiment in which thebladder 122 is fixedly engaged to the base 112 via alternate means.These alternate means of engagement may be a flexible containment 223engaged with an attaching means 225 which is further engaged to the base112.

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 show three more iterations of the embodiment. Thesefigures each depict alternate means of resistance provided for exerciseactivity on the machine (300, 400, 500).

In FIG. 10, an alternate means of resistance 300 is provided by afluid-resistance mechanism 330 similar to that of a bicycling exercisemachine, but with a recoil action like that of a lawnmower's pull-cord.The liquid-resistance mechanism 330 is engaged by elastic cables 118with the guide pulleys 116, 117 which are pivotally mounted on the base112 and on the paddling-arm support 115.

In FIG. 11, another alternate means of resistance 400 is provided by anair-resistance mechanism comprising a fan 430 engaged with a recoil anddrive mechanism 432. Such air-resistance mechanisms are common in theexercise industry. The air-resistance mechanism 430, 432 is engaged byelastic cables 118 with the guide pulleys 116, 117 which are pivotallymounted on the base 112 and on the paddling-arm support 115.

In FIG. 12, yet another alternate means of resistance 500 involves ahydraulic damper 530 engaged with pulleys 536, 538 which are engaged byelastic cables 118 with the guide pulleys 116, 117 which are pivotallymounted on the base 112 and on the paddling-arm support 115.

Although only a few example embodiments have been described in detailabove, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible in the example embodiments without materiallydeparting from this disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as definedin the following claims.

1. A surfboard exercise method and apparatus comprising: a normallyhorizontal surface with a long axis and a short axis, and at least onefluid filled bladder(s) engaged with said normally horizontal surface,wherein when said normally horizontal surface is rotated about the longaxis, the center of gravity shifts about the short axis, and when saidnormally horizontal surface is rotated about the short axis, the centerof gravity shifts about the long axis, and said fluid filled bladdersprovide greater support along the long axis than along the short axis,and a resistance means engaged with at least one handle, and a method ofexercising while situated on said normally horizontal surface comprisingthe steps of: balancing on said normally horizontal surface, andemploying said resistance means for exercise performed while balancingon said normally horizontal surface.
 2. The method and apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said normally horizontal surface is a surf board.
 3. Themethod and apparatus of claim 1 wherein said normally horizontal surfaceis affixed to a base along its long sides, by engagement with elasticmembers such that rotation about the long axis is limited by saidelastic members.
 4. The method and apparatus of claim 1 wherein a paddedform resides between said normally horizontal surface and said fluidinflated bladders.
 5. The method and apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidat least one fluid inflated bladder(s) are engaged with a flexiblemembrane that is in turn engaged with said base.
 6. The method andapparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one fluid inflated bladder(s)are engaged with a recess in said base.
 7. The method and apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said resistance means is an elastic member.
 8. Themethod and apparatus of claim 1 wherein said resistance means is a fan.9. The method and apparatus of claim 1 wherein said resistance means isa fluid filled container with a rotating element therein.
 10. The methodand apparatus of claim 1 wherein said resistance means is a gascylinder.